Neil Compton, 86, who led the effort to secure federal protection for the United States' first national river, died Wednesday. In 1962, he and others formed the Ozark Society after the Army Corps of Engineers began efforts to build two dams on the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas.

Gideon Rafael, 86, a diplomat who helped found the Israeli Foreign Ministry half a century ago, died Wednesday. He served as the ministry's director general and filled many other positions, including ambassador to the United Nations.

Pub Date: 2/14/99